Excerpts from the Arab and Iranian Media & Analysis of US Policy in the Region

First female speaker of an Arab parliament appointed in Syria; questions about “unfair laws” raised

Translated today by our Mideastwire.com

On June 7, the Al-Akhbar daily carried the following report: “…The first hearing of the first regular session of the second legislative round held by the newly elected Syrian people’s council occupied a major place in the Syrian people’s talk since a woman became its chair, an initiative that caught the attention of those people who were despairing over the role of the council over its many rounds. Dr. Hadiya Abbas [the word Hadiya is Arabic for gift] from the governorate of Deir al-Zor in the Syrian east is the first woman in Syria and the Arab countries to win, by acclamation, at the elections for the speaker spot…

“Although women have reached several high spots such as the vice president for cultural affairs, Dr. Najah al-Attar, Abbas’ election has brought back to the surface the suffering of the Syrian women in light of unfair laws. One such law prevents women from getting married at the religious court without a sponsor and another law prevents women from passing on their Syrian nationality to their children in addition to other tragedies. Electing a woman speaker restored hope to the hearts of some Syrians considering that the [Syrian] leadership has intentions to change things..”

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Launched in May 2010, The Mideastwire Blog publishes key excerpts of our daily translations garnered from the Arab and Iranian media, as well as political analysis by Mideastwire.com co-founder Nicholas Noe